Avian influenza found in South Carolina

[Kiki]

Gov. Newsom declared a state of emergency in California today over the bird flu.

What does that mean?

 

[NanaK]

What does that mean?

In case you haven't seen this yet.

https://www.gov.ca.gov/2024/12/18/g...strengthen-robust-state-response-to-bird-flu/

 

[Kiki]

In case you haven't seen this yet.

https://www.gov.ca.gov/2024/12/18/g...strengthen-robust-state-response-to-bird-flu/

Yeah...those poor cows. Beware of raw cow's milk.

 

[Sally PB]

“This proclamation is a targeted action to ensure government agencies have the resources and flexibility they need to respond quickly to this outbreak. Building on California’s testing and monitoring system — the largest in the nation — we are committed to further protecting public health, supporting our agriculture industry, and ensuring that Californians have access to accurate, up-to-date information. While the risk to the public remains low, we will continue to take all necessary steps to prevent the spread of this virus.”

Bolding is mine. They do not specify what "resources" and "flexibility" and "necessary steps" actually mean. Outlawing backyard flocks? Mandatory testing of all backyard flocks and culling any that they deem infected?

Not trying to be a fear monger, just pointing out that they have tremendous leeway, according to what's written here.

 

[NanaK]

Sorry don't have links right at this moment.

If you have cats make sure they do not get raw milk. Make sure they do not hunt and consume wild birds.

Cats tend to show respiratory and neurological symptoms and very often die.

Dead cats and mice were tested positive at several of the farms with outbreaks.

 

[NanaK]

This is a site that is following waste water testing across the country. It will separate Influenza A into types including H5n1.

I've not had a chance play with the options in the graphs. My computer skills are minimal.

Where there are outbreaks, H5n1 is showing in the waste water. Crazy thing is it is also showing up occasionlly in some areas with no known outbreaks.

https://www.wastewaterscan.org/en


CDC is also doing routine testing of some human flu samples to determine variants and how well the flu shot is working. They are also looking for H5 in these routine samples. This is I believe how they found the cases with no know exposure to positive animals.

 

[NanaK]

Why wouldn't they have tested them immediately, before reporting it to the public?

The are first tested locally by the state authorities then samples are sent to Ames, Iowa for verification.
So first test gives presumtive positive until it is later verified by a more comprehensive test. Some are also analyzed for type. They are following how it mutates and changes, esp how it transmits between mammals.

 

[Morrigan]

They do not specify what "resources" and "flexibility" and "necessary steps" actually mean. Outlawing backyard flocks?

The thought crossed my mind as well. I think it would take a lot for it to get to that point, but I could see more regulations/testing/culling.

This is such a bad situation. We have to take reasonable steps to protect our domesticated poultry and cattle, but what is reasonable? What makes this particularly challenging is that the disease is already so widely distributed in the native bird and animal population. Eradication doesn't seem like an option.

 

[Molpet]

Some countries have been working on a vaccine. But it mutates so not too effective
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7578560/

 

[My15Ducks]

The thought crossed my mind as well. I think it would take a lot for it to get to that point, but I could see more regulations/testing/culling.

This is such a bad situation. We have to take reasonable steps to protect our domesticated poultry and cattle, but what is reasonable? What makes this particularly challenging is that the disease is already so widely distributed in the native bird and animal population. Eradication doesn't seem like an option.

I agree that eradication is probably impossible and it is time to take a more holistic approach including breeding disease resistant poultry, vaccination, and treatments. I strongly oppose the current “mass cull” approach. It’s short sighted and inhumane